This exquisitely carved, articulated figure depicts San Pascual ("El Rey San Pascual"), a folk saint venerated throughout Mayan Guatemala although not approved by the Catholic Church. He rules over the graveyards and is believed to cure infectuous diseases. Possibly a composite of pre-Hispanic death figures, he is represented as a skeleton, sometimes in a cape and wearing a crown. He is often considered the companion or "brother" of Guatemala's other forbidden folk saint, Maximon/San Simon.

753,960

Price On Request

Ajitz (Witch Doctor) Figure, ca. 1920's

This rare articulated figure depicts Ajitz, a shaman priest-diviner and important character in the mythology of the Guatemalan highland Maya. His red color symbolizes death and rebirth. He was said to predict the arrival of the Spaniards and the bloody defeat of the Quiche Maya of the western highlands during the Conquest. Followers and believers of Ajitz often keep an effigy such as this one on a household altar

734,960

Price On Request

Antique figure of Maximon, ca. 1920's

902,960

Price On Request

Antique figure of Maximon, Guatemala's "patron saint" of sinners

The superbly carved, articulated figure shown here is one of the oldest and rarest in our collection of Maximon effigies, dating from the beginnings of the 20th century.The much revered folk saint Maximon (San Simon) is a composite of the Mayan tobacco god Mam and the Judas Iscariot of Catholic Europe. Associated with money making, sexual transgressions, drinking and smoking, he is the "patron saint" of the sinners, a character shunned by the Catholic Church. Worshippers offer the usually seated and clothed effigies of Maximon money, alcohol and cigars. He is not approved by the Catholic Church. Many of his followers have a household altar in their homes, with a small effigy of the "saint" sitting in a chair.

763,960

Price On Request

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782,960

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684,960

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San Isidro Labrador, 19th century, Western Highlands

737,960

Price On Request

Anonymous Folk Saint

952,960

Price On Request

Ajitz (or Maximon?), ca. 1920's

797,960

Price On Request

Antique slingshots, western highlands, Guatemala 1

1302,960

Price On Request

Antique slingshots, western highlands, Guatemala 2

1136,960

Price On Request

Antique slingshots, western highlands, Guatemala 3

Antique Guatemalan slingshots, miniature wood sculptures of tremendous beauty and expressiveness, are a traditional folk art form. Each one is unique. The carvings often represent a person's animal co-spirit (Nahuales of the Mayan spirit world), or historical or religious figures.

In addition to our stunning collection of traditional, antique Guatemalan dance masks we feature santos and other religious folk art made by indigenous santeros. We also have a large collection of antique, one-of-a-kind folk dolls representing Maximon, Guatemala's unique "patron saint of the sinners", as well as hand-carved antique slingshots of the highest quality which are miniature wood sculptures of tremendous beauty and expressiveness, haunting sculptures of "Judas" or "gigante" heads which are part of Guatemala's Holy Week pageants, and much more.